Redwood Grove, Mt Madonna State Park

Ah, there is so much not to like about this image!

Taken 7/4/1995.

I never printed this because one look at the negative told me that there was not nearly enough information in the negative to make it worthwhile.

Imagine my surprise when I scanned it today and found a rich image full of detail. I just don't see this in the TMax negative - my scanner really went the extra mile!

This image was taken from the top of a Redwood tree stump! The tripod was set up about 3 feet off the ground. I had barely enough room to stand and focus.

The forest was dark and contrasty. I have brought it under control with Photoshop. I think I know how to print this now, given that exercise.

I'm curious what others think about the composition. Using the close trees as a frame for the clearing was the experiment I was trying here.

A green filter was used to lighten the foliage. (Unfortunately, a breeze came along... sigh)

The funky dark line along the shadow at the bottom reflects my poor technique in Photoshop. My goal here is composition discussion, not Photoshop ranting...
Location
Mt Madonna State Park, CA
Equipment Used
Wist 4x5, Schneider 135mm
Exposure
2 minutes (could have been longer)
Film & Developer
TMax, TMax dev, N-1 development
Paper & Developer
scanned only at this time
Lens Filter
green filter (didn't record further detail)
If the movement of the foliage is only minimal, Chuck, it might be bothersome when enlarged. Worth seeing what it looks like, though. If you go back to reshoot, you might even want to do one that's tack sharp everywhere, and an extended exposure with exagerated movement.
 
The challenge will be capturing this the way I'd like. This is lit with afternoon light, as I recall, which I think if favorable to this location. This is at the top of Mt Madonna, on the way to Watsonville. So in the afternoon, as I'm sure you are well aware, Ralph, you have the tradeoff of light versus wind.

I have a feeling I'll be back there at some point, standing on that damn stump, waiting for the moment. This time I'll bring a lot of film and will definitely go for the tack sharp image. In the mean time, I'm going to explore what I can get from this one.

(Another potential issue for this image is that at significant enlargement, it will be possible to see the initials that someone in the past carved into the base of the far tree... sometimes 4x5 can be a curse! )

-chuck
 
Oh... when you go back just take a good digital camera and a 1 Gig flash card; shoot lots of pix and fix the wind blown foliage in Photoshop thereby obtaining exactly what you want while eliminating the need for "any consumables". ...and since you'll you have it on the screen in photoshop anyway, just print it on your Epson 2200 after you have completely edited it the way you want. Uh... sorry I couldn't resist! .
 
Yeah, right! (I don't own an epson, btw.)

Hey esanford, have you lived in Hertford long? I grew up on Goldsboro, and used to travel through Hertford on the way to our Grandparents house in Elizabeth City. As I recall, Hertford was a pretty, but strange little town, at least to us. As I recall, a railroad track bisected our route through Hertford. The route was mostly residential at the time. We always noted that until we reached the railroad track, we never saw a soul outside. It was strange. We would always see people working, playing, walking, whatever, along every part of our route except that section of Hertford from the city limit to the railroad track. This went on for years. To us it was like something from The Outer Limits (which was contemporary to that period).

Anyway, that's why to this day I remember Hertford. If you live in that part of town, shake things up by going outside and waving at a passing car!

-chuck
 
Chuck - if you go back, take a ladder. The stump may have rotted by now.
 
Your "So much not to like" started me off negatively. If there is, I can't find it!! This does belong on the wall of a Gallery, printed LARGE. I'd love to see a straight, minus Photoshop - print!
 

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Critique Gallery
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chuck94022
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Image metadata

Filename
4383redwoods.jpg
File size
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Date taken
Fri, 04 March 2005 6:17 PM
Dimensions
473px x 600px

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